Possible SFF build...

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Feb 9, 2014
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The name of my thread doesn't quite explain what I'm looking for. Basically, I have always had some random urge to build a half way decent 'gaming' rig out of a SFF desktop. Lately on my trips to my electronics Goodwill, a Dell Optiplex (probably a 760), but some of them have Intel Core 2 Duos in them. I know they aren't fantastic, but I hoping that if I added 8GB of RAM (unfortunately these are all DDR2) and a decent video card (something equal to or more powerful then a 2GB Radeon 6570) it would make it worthy of a few games. I know with a SFF tower I'm extremely limited in my video card selection, and I know like laptops, performance is always going to be lower compared to a desktop.

That's what I'm looking for in a nut shell. I'll provide more information if I have it, but mainly I'm concerned about a video card that is as powerful as I want. Also, I know DDR2 is extremely outdated but give me the benefit of the doubt :)
 
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After a bit of a hunt, it looks like your two best video card options are:
- GT 740 GDDR5: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814500337
- R7 250 GDDR5: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814131576

Both are actually pretty decent cards, they should handle low-medium settings at 1080p for most games.

I was recently looking for a second hand rig similar to your requirements and I noticed that for some, unknown reason, most of the HP machines from a similar era actually came with DDR3 RAM. That was the primary reason I ended up going with a HP (I think I ended up with a HP Compaq 8000SFF or something like that). Anyway, worth checking out whether they have any ex-lease HPs, cause having the DDR3...
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rhysiam

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After a bit of a hunt, it looks like your two best video card options are:
- GT 740 GDDR5: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814500337
- R7 250 GDDR5: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814131576

Both are actually pretty decent cards, they should handle low-medium settings at 1080p for most games.

I was recently looking for a second hand rig similar to your requirements and I noticed that for some, unknown reason, most of the HP machines from a similar era actually came with DDR3 RAM. That was the primary reason I ended up going with a HP (I think I ended up with a HP Compaq 8000SFF or something like that). Anyway, worth checking out whether they have any ex-lease HPs, cause having the DDR3 RAM makes it a little easier to upgrade.

A core 2 duo with either of those cards above is pretty good match really. I think that'll make a handy little gaming rig. It'll play any game on Steam at the moment just fine. Obviously not on high settings, but you should get a good experience. Good luck.
 
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Gotages

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One thing that I have noticed in my 'continued' research, is that some desktops (HP Compaq dc7900). The PCIe x16 slots only can support video cards up to 35w. Could I even push it with one of those 2 cards?

 
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rhysiam

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Wow, I haven't noticed that. That's a new one. I just had a scan of the dc7900 manual here: http://h10032.www1.hp.com/ctg/Manual/c01549447.pdf
I can't see any note about 35W max on PCIe, but I did skim it so may have missed it. Also - the dc7900 is DDR2 RAM only (I believe), so if that is the case you might be better going back to Dell or looking at a newer HP.

My understanding was that the PCIe x16 spec required 75W power, so limiting the board such that it can't provide that would be a breach of spec. But I may be wrong there. Perhaps it is advice based on the limitations of the power supply? I'd need to see it in writing to comment for sure. But I wouldn't have checked that to be honest and just run with it.

Also, did you notice this post on Toms: http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/gigabyte-low-profile-gtx-750,news-48445.html
Gigabyte has released a low profile GTX 750, which is a decent step up from the cards I linked above AND (because it's the latest 'Maxwell' architecture) is actually lower power (just 55W TDP). Apparently a 750ti, which is a (smallish) step up again, is being released in August too. Depends on your budget, but they would give you a reasonable step up in frame rates or quality settings for non CPU bound games (which I suspect is the majority of games for the rig you're looking at).
 
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Gotages

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Well further investigation ended in me trying to avoid systems with less then 4gb running ddr2. Unless I can find memory cheap, NewEgg sells 8gb (4x2gb) for over $100. So that in my opinion is a deal breaker. That is unless you know where to find some a lot cheaper.
Also about the video card. While it is nearly impossible to find a card that will run at 35w or less via PCIe slot. I did dig more and find that card like the low profile versions of the 9600gt or 9800gt require a 6 pin PCIe power cable. And you can also spend about $40 on a 400w power supply with a few of those 6 pin connectors, over the factory 240w.
If the price of outdated memory continues to be redicuously high, like you said going after a new system would be the best option....man mini iTX builds are annoying.
 
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rhysiam

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Can you link where you got the info that PCIe on those machines are limited to 35W?

This isn't the first time I've recommended going this route to people wanting an entry level SFF gaming system (it's significantly cheaper than building new), but I need to stop doing this if there is indeed a 35W limit.

BTW, if you're looking at an entry level system, 4GB RAM is sufficient IMHO. 8GB is about right for mid-high end build, but overkill for an entry level system. Put the money into a second machine with a higher tier CPU, or spend up on the 750 or 750TI I referred to above. That'll net you better results than a slower CPU or GPU with 8GB RAM.
 
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http://www8.hp.com/h20195/v2/GetDocument.aspx?docname=c04290693
Page 9 towards the top.
 
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